New York/New Delhi, 28 January 2014 - Global Easy Water Products (GEWP), a leading social enterprise has joined the Business Call to Action (BCtA) with plans to provide low-cost micro irrigation systems for smallholder farmers in India. The company expects to reach 300,000 families and smallholder farmers with its innovative technology by 2018.

To address the gaps in agricultural technology for many of India's rural farmers, GEWP's strategy is to provide greater access to low-cost irrigation solutions. The company has focused on addressing issues of water scarcity to help farmers increase their yields. The company's main product, KB Drip system, provides low cost micro-irrigation technology that helps small farmers increase their yields by as much as 50%. The company estimates that each system increases net additional income for user farmer households by $400 US per year.

To create awareness about the benefits of the irrigation system, the company hires local vendors, sources from local manufacturers, uses a network of independent retail dealers, and is working to build upon the expertise of local technicians to ensure the final product reaches the smallholder farmer. Smallholder farmers often face low crop yields and with just one harvest a year, it is often difficult for them to earn their way out of poverty.

KB brand drip irrigation systems are useful for crops like vegetables, cotton, sugarcane and horticulture. KB micro sprinklers are suitable for a variety of crops like onion, ginger, garlic and fodder. In addition, the systems typically pay for themselves after one year and are considered easy to install with minimal maintenance.

"The Global Easy Water Products are having significant impact on improving production capabilities for small holder farmers. We are encouraged by their important work in India and welcome their commitment to the Business Call to Action", said Sahba Sobhani, Acting Programme Manager, Business Call to Action.

"We are excited to continue to expand to meet the needs of farmers and improving agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers by use of water application/ efficient technologies", said Amitabha Sadangi, CEO, Global Easy Water Products.

To learn more, please contact:

BCtA: Karen Newman, karen.newman@undp.org, +1(212) 906-5194

GEWP: Vikas Saini, vikas@gewp-india.com

Business Call to Action is a global initiative that challenges companies to develop inclusive business models that offer the potential for development impact along with commercial success. The initiative is the result of a partnership between the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, UK Department for International Development, US Agency for International Development, United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Global Compact, and the Clinton Global Initiative to meet the anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Companies report on progress toward commitments on an annual basis. To learn more, please visit www.businesscalltoaction.org or join the conversation on Twitter at @BCtAInitiative.

Global Easy Water Products Pvt. Ltd. (GEWP) established in 2004 is a for profit company registered under Indian Companies Act 1956. GEWP is an authorised seller and distributor of the KB (Krishak Bandhu) brand of micro irrigation products. GEWP sources micro irrigation equipment from local manufacturers, and sells the same using network of supply chain which includes dealers/distributors and retailers. GEWP is a for profit social enterprise in India that focuses on developing and delivering low-cost irrigation solutions to small farmers who are often overlooked by technology advancements. Global Easy Water Products mission is to distribute products that help smallholder farmers to increase their available income, improve their nutrition and earn their way out of poverty. For more information, please visit http://gewp-india.com/.